Governor Herbert speaks to record crowd at Lincoln dinner

The Emery County Republicans welcomed special guest Gov. Gary Herbert to their Lincoln Day dinner. Gov. Herbert said all roads run through Emery County. His sister lives in Ferron and Emery County feels like home to him, too. "The Republican Party is growing in Emery County. When you stand for correct principles then people gravitate towards it," commented the governor. He said he is the 17th governor of Utah and his has been an improbable journey. He is governor because of the help of many people. "People have been very supportive," said Gov. Herbert.

Gov. Herbert said his wife graduated from high school in Springville. He returned there with her to a high school reunion. Gov. Herbert talked to a man there who had some struggles. Mrs. Herbert later told the governor that was the man who took her to the senior prom. The governor told her "Well I bet you're glad you married me." "Not really, said Mrs. Herbert, "If I had married him, he would be the governor."

Gov. Herbert said, "We're here to celebrate Abraham Lincoln on his 201st birthday. He was the greatest president. He was not always popular, but he was respected. He was known as Honest Abe. In a country torn apart, he emerged as a great president. He was a great writer. He had two books in his office, the bible and the works of Shakespeare. He was a self taught man and a learned man."

Gov. Herbert spoke of the Gettysburg Address and the battle that waged there. Fifty-one thousand were killed or injured on that battlefield. The government bought 17 acres of ground to bury all the dead soldiers. A dedication was planned for those who died at Gettysburg. Pres. Lincoln was invited to give a few remarks at the dedication. The speaker before him, Edward Everett, went on for two hours. Pres. Lincoln had worked hard on his speech. Fifteen thousand people showed up for the dedication. Pres. Lincoln delivered his speech in 2.5 minutes and it was 272 words long. After delivering the speech there was very little applause. Pres. Lincoln sat down and said 'that speech did not scour,' thinking the speech wasn't well received. A few days later the President received a note from Everett who told the President that he didn't get as close to the event in his two hour speech as Pres. Lincoln did in two minutes.

"What lessons can be learned from this? What is the impact of what we are saying on the people who hear it. All of us have an impact and sometimes we don't recognize it until much later. Even if we aren't the first choice, we can still have a lot to contribute and give," said Gov. Herbert. In gym class, he told of a guy who was always chosen last, but he became a star on the basketball team. "We can all contribute in a significant way," said the governor. He said in Pres. Lincoln's speech it contains the thought, 'It is for us the living to take care of the unfinished work.' We can learn a lot from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address."

Gov. Herbert said there are hundreds of books written about Abraham Lincoln and his wit and wisdom. There were 50 new books that came out last year on his 200th birthday. Abe had all kinds of sayings, he said, "It is unwise to swap horses in the middle of the stream; my legs are long enough to go all the way to the ground; do we not destroy our enemies when we make them our friends?"

One time Lincoln addressed an audience at a time when rumors were flying saying Lincoln was two faced. He told the audience, "If I had two faces would I have worn this one?"

Gov. Herbert encouraged all present to get out and remind everyone what made America great. Gov. Herbert just attended the governors conference and everyone has the same goals they just disagree on the process and how we get there. The government has a role, but they shouldn't impose on the states. The states should counterbalance the federal government. "The over reach of the federal government is federalism. Get out and teach those principles. There is power in the private sector. Utah was voted for the second year in a row as the best managed state. If you want stimulus, just get money into the hands of the private sector. If you give $1 to the federal government you get back .38 cents in return. The private sector just goes out and does it, that's how you grow the economy. Good things may come to those who wait, but only what's left over by those who hustle. Utah is in the best position to come out of the economic downturn," said Gov. Herbert.

There were a number of local and national candidates on hand to speak to the audience. Dave Hansen is the State Republican Party chairman. He referred to Pres. Lincoln's second inaugural address where he said, Even if we fail in a cause, doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Hansen said the challenge now is to offer help and support to the Republican candidates so they will be successful. "This large crowd is an honor to you and your leadership." Hansen encouraged the crowd to do a little each day to help their candidates. "The future comes one day at a time, make the best of those days."

There were four candidates running for the US Senate, present to speak including Jim Bennett speaking for Sen. Bob Bennett; Tim Bridgewater, Cherilyn Eager and Mike Lee. Two candidates hope to challenge Rep. Jim Matheson including Morgan Philpot and Neil Walter.

Local candidates include: Jeff Horrocks, Gerry Hatch and JR Nelson for commission; David Blackwell for county attorney; Greg Funk for county sheriff; Kris Bell for county assessor; Brenda Tuttle for clerk/auditor; Dixie Swasey for county recorder and Steve Barton for county treasurer.